"Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!!!"
Clovis laughed maniacally as he swung his two swords, cutting down the charging knights, both men and horses as if he were cutting vegetables.
Prior to clashing with Artorius, the most significant opponent he had defeated was Gawain.
"!"
Before Artorius's eyes, Gawain's sword was flicked away by his opponent, along with his right hand that gripped the sword, both soaring into the air.
Without hesitation, Artorius threw his spear, Gae Bolg, toward Clovis.
Clovis leaned to the side, evading Artorius's attack, and missed the opportunity to pursue Gawain.
"Step back!"
Although Gawain was not one to accept defeat, he obeyed Artorius's command and stepped back, clenching his teeth.
Clovis had no interest in pursuing a minor character like Gawain. Just as Artorius now only had eyes for him, Clovis was focused solely on Artorius.
He laughed maniacally and urged his warhorse forward. But as he approached Artorius, a strong sense of danger overwhelmed him, causing him to roll off the horse's back. Simultaneously, a beam of light grazed his cheek, obliterating one of his ears.
"Hmph!"
"Hahahaha!"
Failing to hit Clovis with the sword beam from Clarent, Artorius snorted. At the same time, amid Clovis's maniacal laughter, Artorius also leaped up from his mount.
Amidst the horse's neighing, Clovis wielded the left-hand sword, Durandal, severing the forelimb of Artorius's horse.
Simultaneously, with the right-hand sword, Joyeuse, Clovis blocked Artorius's enraged strike as he leaped.
After returning Clarent back to Mordred and throwing Gae Bolg, Artorius drew Excalibur. He fiercely thrust the Holy Sword toward Clovis's chest.
*BOOOM!*
The Holy Sword and the Golden Sword clashed violently, releasing terrifying magical energy that dispersed in all directions. In an instant, all those with insufficient strength were reduced to dust, leaving no trace of their remains.
Witnessing this scene, the troops from both sides quickly retreated, leaving the battlefield to the two Kings. Artoria and Mordred had the power to intervene, but seeing that Artorius had the upper hand and knowing the significance of this battle, they refrained from acting, only observing from the outskirts and staying prepared to provide support.
In the center of the battlefield, though there were only two 'people', the spectacle they created resembled two giant beasts locked in combat.
It was a war between the Frost Dragon, stirring cold winds, and the frenzied Demon Wolf. They stepped back, back, and back again until their fighting's aftershocks could no longer reach.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
After blocking Artorius's attack, Clovis continued to laugh maniacally, wielding the two famous swords recklessly, seemingly indifferent to defense, and relentlessly slashing at Artorius.
"Not bad strength."
As a Dragon, Artorius possessed incredible power, enough to move mountains, yet Clovis, a mere mortal, managed to withstand it.
"And the speed too."
Similarly, as Clovis swung his two swords, Artorius employed his third technique, summoning a Pure White Sword in his left hand to counterattack swiftly. The sword's speed, surpassing the speed of sound multiple times, generated shockwaves capable of toppling ancient trees. Yet Clovis managed to keep up.
"But your techniques are too crude!"
In the next moment, Artorius cunningly baited Clovis with flaws, feints, and traps. The first strike disarmed Clovis, the second pierced his heart and lungs, and the final one went straight through his throat!
Relying on the mass-produced weapon, Pure White Sword, Artorius channeled magical energy throughout his body and released it at full power, causing a near-point-blank explosion that could almost overturn the entire camp.
"I've got you now! I win!"
As he executed his move, Artorius exclaimed in excitement, "Fate shall converge—!"
The next moment, an intense pain struck his back.
"Artorius?!"
"Brother! No!"
"My King!!!"
Amidst the shouts of his mother, sister, and subordinates, Artorius released his sword, clutching the blade of Joyeuse impaled through his own body with his hand.
"!"
Under the astonished and disbelieving gaze of the figure behind him, the legendary Golden Sword was crushed by the Frost Dragon's grip!
"Did you really think this would defeat me?!"
"Did you think it could make me abandon my ambition?!"
"YOU COUNTER FORCE'S PUPPET!!!"
In one swift motion, Artorius grasped the throat of another 'Clovis' behind him. Ignoring the excruciating pain and injuries, he effortlessly lifted him.
"No! This can't be possible!"
The expression of elation turned into terror, and the Wolf King stared at Artorius with eyes akin to those of someone witnessing a monster.
"I am supposed to... My Joyeuse is... My fate is... I-I will... cough, cough, arghhh...!"
At the same moment, another body of 'Clovis' who got pierced through the throat and heart by Artorius earlier, collapsed to the ground and dissipated like scattered sand.
Perhaps it was some kind of magecraft, or maybe a special skill. Beneath the rugged and robust appearance of the King of Franks, lay a sinister heart.
Realizing that he was no match for Artorius, he made a decision to use a dirty trick to win.
His previous laughter and bravery were just a facade. His true move came after he was 'killed' by Artorius.
Seizing the moment when Artorius was elated when killing his fake body, having eliminated a formidable foe and relaxing his guard, Clovis attempted an assassination.
With all his might, he used Joyeuse, piercing Artorius's heart! The mighty magical energy of the sword guaranteed Artorius's demise!
He was so close to success!
The Froststeel armor proved futile against Joyeuse's sharpness as it pierced the Dragon King's heart. Yet, despite this, the outcome remained a resounding failure.
Artorius, who possessed the Third Magic and Avalon, had long transcended the realm of ordinary humans. Clovis's attack would be enough to slay a true dragon, but it proved futile against Artorius. To make matters worse, Artorius caught him, grabbing his throat, and leaving him unable to escape.
The power capable of crushing divine steel couldn't crush Clovis's neck. And so, Artorius added his other hand.
Artorius's expression was not one of pain or anger but of sheer ecstasy. He truly had fate by the throat!
He tightened his hands, inward, making a *Creak* sound, indicating that he was getting even closer to usurping fate.
Throughout this process, Clovis struggled desperately. He managed to pull out a dagger tied to his calf and thrust it fiercely into Artorius's arm, but Artorius remained immovable.
Clovis fought desperately to break free. He used his teeth, his head, his hands, his legs, his everything, but they proved futile. Sometimes pleading, sometimes giving Artorius a fierce stare. He seemed to be begging for mercy while also issuing harsh threats. {T/N: This somewhat reminds me of that epic moment when Ainz crushed Clementine in Overlord.}
Clovis wanted to make a comeback. As long as he broke free and fled as soon as possible, he was certain that he still had a chance, even if it meant suffering a terrible defeat and losing four hundred thousand warriors. As long as fate continued to favor him, he could rise again after some time.
But no, all of those were just his wishful thinking!
Clovis's army could only freeze in place and watch dumbfounded as their king struggled helplessly. Meanwhile, Artorius's army could only gaze in awe at their king's absolute strength.
"Fate shall also submit to me! I am the one who will conquer Europe, conquer the world, the greatest figure of this era, and the one who will establish a magnificent empire!" Artorius declared loudly as he stared at Clovis's terrified eyes.
"Die! Clovis!"
Artorius Pendragon roared, unleashing all his power on his hands until a *Snap!* sound finally came. He had successfully broken Clovis's neck and ended his life, completely clearing the way to usurp his fate.
Soon, he would snatch a glimmer of hope for himself, his loved ones, his subordinates, his nation, and humanity.